Dispensing device



P 1964 T. w. BROOKS 3,147,887

DISPENSING DEVICE Filed Aug. 7, 1961 )2 r 1 lb F 11 I I! 4 57) l8 @2MN/l 1 1 40 I 62 52} mm i mumum 4,

INVENTOR;

THO MAS W. Bxzoowa gt mkmw ATTORNEYls United States Patent "ice3,147,887 DHSPENSHNG DEVECE Thomas W. Brooks, (Iharlotte, MG, assignorto Southeastern Tool 8: Bye Company, Inc, Charlotte, N.C., a corporationof North aroiina Filed Aug. '7, 1961, Ser. No. 129,584 6 Claims. (Cl.22283.5)

The present invention relates to an improved device for dispensing fluidfrom a container about which the device is clamped.

More particularly, this invention relates to an improved device fordispensing fluid under pressure from a container, the dispensing devicebeing of the character adapted to be clamped about the container andhaving means for puncturing the container when clamped thereabout so asto dispense the contents from the container through the puncture formedtherein.

The practice of dispensing fluid from a container by means of a devicewhich is clamped about the container and has a puncturing element forpiercing a wall of the container when the device is clamped thereaboutin order to provide an outlet in the container through which the fluidcontents of the container may be discharged is common. Dispensingdevices of the aforesaid general type are characterized by the presenceof an elongated flexible band which has been bent or bowed to turn itsopposite ends inwardly toward each other to place the band in asubstantially annular state, wherein the band is adapted to encircle acontainer, such as a can. The flexible band is movable between expandedand constricted positions, in which the can is respectively looselyreceived within the band and tightly clamped therein, by means of apivotal lever arm associated therewith. The pivotal movement of thelever arm in a direction causing the constriction of the flexible bandabout the can results in the formation of a dispensing outlet in the canby a puncturing element associated with the flexible band, thepuncturing element piercing a wall of the can as the band is beingconstricted thereabout. The natural tendency of the flexible band tosnap back from its deformed bowed state to a relaxed state of elongationcauses the lever arm associated therewith to exhibit highly erraticresistance to its pivotal movement in either direction, whereby theefforts of an operator seeking to manipulate the lever arm are likely toproduce uncertain and irregular pivotal movement of the lever arm. Infact, once the pivotal movement of the lever arm has proceeded past apoint of equilibrium with respect to the bowed flexible band, what maybe described as a whip-lash motion of the lever arm takes place in whichthe pivotal movement of the lever arm is rapidly accelerated because ofthe force imparted thereto by the overbalancing tendency of the flexibleband to return to its natural relaxed state. This sudden andunpredictable whip-lash motion of the lever arm creates a hazardouscondition in which the fingers of the operator manipulating the leverarm are likely to be pinched or smashed between the lever arm and theflexible band or other components of the dispensing device.

Dispensing devices of this general character have also been constructedin such a manner that the constriction of a clamping band about acontainer to be punctured by a puncturing element of the device causesthe container to be drawn toward the puncturing element in an irregular,off-center path of movement. Accordingly, where the container is of thetype provided with a readily frangible wall area to facilitatepuncturing thereof by the puncturing element of the dispensing device,such irregular and off-center movement of the container toward thepuncturing element as the dispensing device is clamped thereabout maycause the puncturing 3,147,887 Patented Sept. 8, 1964 element tocompletely miss the frangible wall area on the container, thereby makingit necessary for the puncturing element to penetrate a rigid portion ofthe container wall in order to form an outlet in the container throughwhich its contents may be dispensed. Often the Wall of such a containerapart from the readily frangible wall area is constructed so as to bevirtually impenetrable. Under these circumstances, the puncturingelement of the dispensing device is apt to be broken if it misses thefrangible wall area of the container as the dispensing device is beingclamped about the container, thereby rendering the dispensing deviceuseless until the necessary replacement or repair of the puncturingelement can be effected.

Even when the puncturing element of the dispensing device may be capableof penetrating the wall of the container forced thereagainst by theconstriction of the dispensing device about the container, the irregularand off-center movement of the container toward the puncturing elementis likely to cause the container wall to be brought against thepuncturing element in an abnormal angular relationship, therebyresulting in the puncturing element deflecting or glancing off of thecontainer wall, or making an imperfect penetration therethrough.Dispensing of the contents from a container acted upon by the dispensingdevice in the abovedescribed manner may either prove to be impossible ininstances where the puncturing element of the dispensing device failedto penetrate the container wall or may be accompanied by leakage of thecontents of the container at the boundaries of the outlet formed in thecontainer wall by the imperfect entry of the puncturing elementtherethrough.

Dispensing devices of the character described are often employed withcontainers having highly poisonous gaseous contents suitable forfumigating purposes, and when an imperfect entry of the puncturingelement through a container wall takes place, a dangerous situation canbe created by the leakage of poisonous fumes about the boundaries of theimperfect and irregular aperture formed as a dispensing outlet in thecontainer wall by the puncturing element. Frequently, the imperfectentry of the puncturing element through the container wall forms adispensing outlet for the container which defies efforts to establish afluid-tight sealing relationship between the container wall where theoutlet is formed and the condui-t of the dispensing device through whichthe contents of the container are to be dispensed even when a resilientsealing gasket of rubber or similar elastomeric material is employedabout the puncturing element for engagement with the portion of thecontainer wall surrounding the outlet.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improveddispensing device having a constrictive frame carrying a puncturingelement, wherein the frame is adapted to be clamped about a container inits constricted position to enable the puncturing element to penetratethe container wall for forming an outlet in the container fordischarging the contents therefrom, the frame comprising a plurality ofrigid frame segments defining a container-receiving opening and beingmovable between ex panded and constricted positions with respect to thecontainer received thereby through pivotal manipulation of a lever armwithout producing an accompanying whiplash action on the part of thelever arm, since the pivotal movement of the lever arm is substantiallyunimpeded by any resistant counter-force.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved dispensingdevice having a constrictive segmental frame carrying a puncturingelement, wherein the frame is initially disposed in expanded positionfor loosely receiving a container and is thereafter constricted into d)clamping relationship about the container so as to cause relativemovement of the container against the puncturing element in a directpredetermined path of movement, whereby the puncturing element willpenetrate the wall of the container at a selected location thereon toform a satisfactory dispensing outlet in the container. The possibilitythat the puncturing element in the improved dispensing device of thepresent invention may imperfectly penetrate or fail to penetrate thecontainer wall is consequently virtually eliminated.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved means in adispensing device for clamping about a container, wherein the improvedclamping means comprises an annular constrictive segmental frame havinga pair of frame segments pivotally interconnected at one of theirrespective ends and spaced apart at the other of their respective endswhen the frame is in expanded position for loosely receiving thecontainer, there being a lever arm pivotally interconnected to the otherend of one frame segment and a pair of links straddling the lever armand pivotally interconnected to the other end of the other frame segmentand to corresponding medial positions on opposite sides of the lever armto span the distance between the other ends of the frame segments in theexpanded position of the frame, whereby pivotal movement of the leverarm in a predetermined direction causes the pair of links and a portionof the lever arm to be superimposed over a portion of the frame segmentto which the lever arm is pivotally interconnected for constricting theframe in clamping relationship about the container. The protrusion ofsome component of clamping mechanisms for dispensing devices heretoforeknown within the container-receiving enclosure frequently disrupts thecontinuity of constriction of such clamping mechanisms about thecontainer and is one cause of inefiicient operation. The improvedclamping means of the present invention insures that the pivotalmovement of the lever arm moving the frame between expanded andconstricted positions will take place in such a manner that no portionof the lever arm will protrude within the en closure defined by theframe in which the container is received.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved dispensingdevice having a constrictive frame to be clamped about a container forforcing a puncturing element carried by the frame through the containerwall, wherein an effective fluid-tight sealing relationship ismaintained between a dispensing conduit of the dispensing device and thewall of the container bounding the outlet formed in the container by thepuncturing element, and

valve means are provided in the dispensing conduit of the device toenable an operator to control the ftow of contents outwardly of thecontainer so as to regulate the dispensing of the contents of thecontainer in any given operation as desired.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objectswill appear as the description proceeds when taken in connection withthe accompanying drawings, in which- FIGURE 1 shows a plan view of adispensing device in accordance with the present invention, thedispensing device being illustrated in expanded position;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the dispensing device of FIGURE 1with a part (the lever arm) shown in FIGURE 1 being broken away forpurposes of clarity;

FIGURE 3 is a plan view similar to FIGURE 1, but showing the dispensingdevice in constricted position and clamped about a container receivedthereby; and

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken along the line44 in FIGURE 3.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, the dispensing device ofthe present invention comprises an annular frame designated broadly byreference numeral 10, the annular frame 10 being movable between anexpanded position, as illustrated in FIGURE 1, in which a container C(FIGURE 3) is loosely received thereby and a constricted position, asillustrated in FIGURE 3, in which the container C is received in clampedrelationship therewithin as will be hereinafter described. Asillustrated, the annular frame 10 includes a pair of arcuate framesegments 11, 12, a lever arm 13 and a pair of links 14, 15these elementsbeing pivotally interconnected to define an endless open-ended annularframe 10 providing an enclosed region for receiving the container Cthere- It will be seen in FIGURE 2 that the arcuate frame segment 11includes upper and lower vertically alined arcuate bands 16, 17respectively, the bands 16, 17 being disposed in parallel relationshipand being rigidly interconnected by a vertical web 18 extendingtherebetween medially of the opposite ends of the frame segment 11. Itwill be further observed in FIGURES 1 and 3 that corresponding endportions at one end of each of the upper and lower arcuate bands 16, 17of the frame segment 11 are inwardly offset with respect to theremaining portions of the arcuate bands 16, 17 to be disposed closertogether for defining connector tabs 20, 20 respectivelythe connectortabs being adapted to receive the opposing end of the frame segment 12in a manner to be presently described.

The arcuate frame segment 12 is similar to the frame segment 11, as italso includes upper and lower vertically alined arcuate bands 21, 22disposed in parallel relationship and being rigidly interconnected by avertical web 23 extending therebetween medially of the opposite ends ofthe frame segment 12. The ends of the arcuate bands 21, 22 of framesegment 12 which correspond with the inwardly offset end portions orconnector tabs 2G, 20 of the arcuate bands 16, 17 of the frame segment11 are respectively received in overlying relationship therewith todispose the arcuate bands 21, 22 in substantially flush relation withthe remaining portions of the arcuate bands 16, 17 respectively, theframe segments 11, 12 being pivotally interconnected at this point bysuitable means, such as a pin 24, penetrating the respective overlappingends of the arcuate bands 21, 16 and 22, 17. A spacer means in the formof a tubular sleeve (not shown) loosely receiving the pin 24 andextending between the inwardly offset end portions or connector tabs 20,20 of the arcuate bands 16, 17 is preferably provided to reinforce therespective overlapping ends of the arcuate bands 21, 16 and 22, 17.

The ends of the frame segments 11 and 12 opposite from their previouslydescribed pivotally interconnected ends are maintained in spaced apartrelationship when the annular frame 10 is in the expanded positionillustrated in FIGURE 1. It will be observed in FIGURE 2 that the endsof the arcuate bands 21, 22 of frame segment 12 which are spaced apartfrom the opposing arcuate bands 16, 17 of the frame segment 11 when theannular frame 10 is in expanded position include inwardly offset endportions or terminal tabs 25, 25 respectively, the terminal tabs beingdisposed closer together than the remaining portions of the arcuatebands 21, 22 to provide a relationship therebetween similar to thatexisting between the connector tabs 20, 20 and the arcuate bands 16, 17.Vertically alined notches 26, 26 are provided in the terminal tabs 25,25 for a purpose to be subsequently described.

Means are provided to maintain the last-discussed ends of the framesegments 11, 12 in spaced apart relationship when the frame 10 is inexpanded position such spacing means comprising the lever arm 13 and thelinks 14, 15. The lever arm 13 may be described as having an inner endor body portion 30 pivotally connected by suitable means, such as a pin31, to the inwardly offset end portions or terminal tabs 25, 25 of thearcuate bands 21, 22 of frame segment 12 and a handle 32 extending fromthe body portion 30 at a point remote from the pivotal connectionbetween the body portion 30 and the frame segment 12. The body portion30 of the lever arm 13 includes a pair of upper and lower verticallyalined flanges 33, 34 (FIGURE 2) disposed in parallel relationship, theflanges 33, 34 of the body portion 30 partially overlying thecorresponding terminal tabs or inwardly offset end portions 25, 25 ofthe arcuate bands 21, 22 when the frame 10 is in expanded position forreception of the pivot pin 31 so as to dispose the upper and lowerextremities of the lever arm 13 as defined by the flanges 33, 34substantially flush with the upper and lower arcuate bands 16, 1'7 and21, 22 of the frame segments 11 and 12, respectively. As shown in FIGURE2, a spacer means in the form of a tubular sleeve 35 extends between theterminal tabs 25, 25 of the arcuate bands 21, 22, the sleeve 35 looselyreceiving the pivot pin 31 and reinforcing the arcuate bands 21, 22 ofthe frame segment 12 and the flanges 33, 34 of the lever arm 13.

Completing the means spacing opposed ends of the frame segments 11 and12 apart in the expanded position of the annular frame 10 are the pairof links 14, which extend between the body portion 30 of the lever arm13 and the opposed ends of the arcuate bands 16, 17 of the frame segment11 to bridge the gap therebetween. It will be noted that the pair oflinks 14, 15 are substantially arcuate in shape and are pivotallyinterconnected at their opposite ends with the body portion 30 of thelever arm 13 and the opposed ends of the arcuate bands 16, 17respectively. The pair of links 14, 15 thereby straddle the handle 32 ofthe lever arm 13 to permit movement of the handle 32 and the bodyportion 30 of the lever arm 13 therebetween upon pivoting the lever arm13 about pin 31 by moving the handle 32 in a clock-wise direction asviewed in FIGURE 1 to move the annular frame 10 from expanded toconstricted position for clamping the container C therein in the mannerillustrated in FIGURE 3. In this connection, the corresponding ends ofthe pair of links 14, 15 are pivotally interconnected by suitable means,such as a pin 36, to the upper and lower flanges 33, 34 respectively ofthe body portion 30 of the lever arm 13 at a medial location on thelever arm 13, while the opposite ends of the pair of links 14, 15 arepivotally interconnected by suitable means, such as a pin 37, to theopposed ends of the arcuate bands 16, 17 of the frame segment 11. In amanner similar to that described with respect to pivot pins 24 and 31,the pivot pin 37 is loosely received by a tubular spacer sleeve 38extending be tween the arcuate bands 16, 17 for reinforcement thereof.

Either one of the vertical webs 18, 23 respectively interconnecting thearcuate bands 16, 17 of frame segment 11 and the arcuate bands 21, 22 offrame segment 12 may be utilized as a carrier for a tubular dispensingmeans 40 extending laterally with respect to the annular frame 10 withinthe container-receiving enclosure defined by the frame lh and outwardlyof the frame 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the vertical web 18interconnecting the arcuate bands 15, 17 of frame segment 11 has been soemployed, there being an aperture formed therein similar to the aperture41 in the vertical web 23, as shown in FIGURE 2, for reception of thetubular dispensing means 40. It will be observed that a containersupport bracket 42 is provided in conjunction with the annular frame 10for supporting an end of the container C received within the frame 10(FIGURE 4). The support bracket 42 includes a substntially fiat baseplate 43 extending diametrically across the circular enclosure boundedby the frame 10 and disposed beneath the frame (FIGURE 2) the flat baseplate 43 having a raised lip 44 extending from an end thereof remotefrom the vertical web 13 in offset parallel relationship to the plate 43for defining an arcuate shoulder 45 therebetween in substantialalinement with the web 13. The arcuate shoulder 45 is adapted tosubstantially conform with an end edge of the container C receivedwithin the frame 1t and cooperates with inner peripheral portions of thearcuate bands 21, 22 to limit lateral endwise displacement of thecontainer C within the frame 11). The support bracket 42 furtherincludes vertical leg 46 integral with the opposite end of the baseplate 43 and extending upwardly therefrom to overlie the web 18, the leg45 being provided with a suitable aperture alined with the aperture inthe bed 18, as illustrated in FIGURE 4. Preferably, a horizontallyextending keeper skirt 47 is formed integral with the upper end of theleg 46 of the support bracket 42, the keeper skirt 47 being arranged inspaced parallel relationship to the base plate 43 and overlying aportion of the arcuate band 16 of the frame segment 11 to assist in theassembly and alinement of the support bracket 42 on the annular frame10.

As best shown in FIGURE 4, the tubular dispensing means 41 takes theform of a conduit 50 having a hollow puncturing element 51 on one endwhich protrudes within the circular container-receiving enclosuredefined by the frame Id. The conduit 5t extends through the alinedapertures in the vertical web 18 and the leg 46 of the support bracket42, and includes an externally threaded outer end portion or nozzle 52through which the contents of the container C received within theannular frame 19 are discharged in a dispensing operation, an inner endportion 53, and an intermediate externally threaded connector portion 54joining the outer and inner end portions 52 and 53 of the conduit 50.The intermediate connector portion 54 of the conduit 5% is adapted to bedisposed within the alined apertures in the web 18 and the leg 46.

The hollow puncturing element 51 associated with the conduit 50 is inthe form of a hollow needle forming an inner extension of the inner endportion 53 of the conduit 50, the hollow needle 51 being of reduceddiameter with respect to the remainder of the conduit 50 and having asharpened beveled cutting edge 55 for readily puncturing the wall of thecontainer C when the annular frame 10 is constricted thereabout ashereinafter appears.

A jamb nut 56 and a backing plate 57 are respectively disposed onopposite sides of the partition defined by the web 18 and the leg 46,nut 56 being threadably received about the intermediate conduit portion54 and in abutment with leg 46. Backing plate 57 is rectangular in shapeand is positioned in the vertical space existing between the arcuatebands 16 and 17 in abutment with web 18. A suitable aperture is providedin the backing plate 57 to threadably receive the intermediate conduitportion 54 which extends therethrough. In this manner, means areprovided for adjustably securing the tubular dispensing means 40 to theannular frame 10 so as to dispose the hollow needle 51 at the enner endportion 53 of conduit 59 radially inwardly of the frame segment 11 towhich the tubular dispensing means 4% is secured. It will be understoodthat appropriate rotative manipulation of the conduit 5t with respect tothe backing plate 57 can be employed to selectively move the hollowneedle 51 on the inner end portion 53 of conduit 5% either radiallyinwardly or outwardly with respect to the center of thecontainer-receiving enclosure defined by the annular frame It). Thebacking plate 57 being rectangular is restrained from rotating with theconduit 50 because of the prospective abutment of its upper or lowermarginal edge with the arcuate band 16 or 17, respectively.

Sealing means to insure a fluid-tight sealing relationship between thearcuate bands 16, 17 of the frame segment 11, the portions of thecontainer wall bordering the puncture to be formed therein by the hollowneedle 51, and the tubular dispensing means 40 including the hollowneedle 51 are provided in the form of a block-like gasket 60 made of asuitable resilient sealing material, such as rubber, The sealing gasket60 surrounds the hollow needle 51 and the inner end conduit portion 53in sealing engagement therewith and further sealingly engages thearcuate bands 16 and 17 between which it is received. As shown in FIGURE1, the gasket 60 extends inwardly of the hollow needle 51 when thedispensing device is disposed with its annular frame 10 in expandedposition to mask or cover the sharpened beveled cutting edge 55 of thehollow needle 51 within the gasket 60, thereby preventing accidents tothe hand of a person handling the dispensing device because of exposureof a sharp cutting edge. The inwardly directed surface 61 of the sealinggasket is preferably of concave shape to substantially conform to thecylindrical wall of the container C to be received within the annularframe 10 in sealing relationship therewith.

As will be noted in FIGURE 3, the inwardly directed concave surface 61of the gasket 60 is forced outwardly by engagement with the containerwall upon introduction of the container C into the annular frame 10, andthe gasket 69 is further compressed when the lever arm 13 is pivotedabout pin 31 in a clock-wise direction to constrict the annular frame 10into clamping relationship with the container C, thereby causing theinitially parallel side surfaces of the sealing gasket 69 to be bowedoutwardly, as shown in phantom lines.

A manually operable valve means 62 is preferably provided in the outerend conduit portion 52 to control or regulate the flow of contents fromthe container C received within the annular frame 19 of the dispensingdevice. The valve means 62 comprises a slidable valve member 63 whichincludes a plug 64 on the lower end of a stem 65, the valve stem 65being received Within a valve bonnet 66 threadably mounted on the outerend conduit portion 52 and the plug 64 being disposed for abutment witha lower end shoulder of the valve bonnet A coil spring 67 is seatedbeneath the plug 64 and biases the plug 64 against the end shoulder ofthe bonnet 66 which serves as a valve seat. When disposed in abutmentwith the bonnet 66, the plug 64 blocks the passageway through theconduit t)this being the normal closed position of the valve means 62.Manual depression of the valve member 63 causes longitudinal movementthereof with respect to the bonnet 66 to move the plug 64 away from thebonnet 66 against the biasing force of the spring 67. The plug 64 istherefore displaced below the passageway through the conduit 50 to openthe valve means 62 and allow contents from the container C to bedispensed through the conduit 56 The spring 67 restores the plug 64 tothe closed position of the valve means 62 by biasing the plug 64 againstthe bonnet 66 when the manually applied downward pressure on the valvemember 63 is removed to prevent further dispensing of the contents fromthe container C through the conduit 50.

In operating the dispensing device, it is initially arranged with itsannular frame in the expanded position shown in FIGURE 1 for looselyreceiving the container C from which fluid contents are to be dispensed.In this expanded position, it will be observed that the ends of theframe segments 11 and 12 opposite from the ends of these segments whichare pivotally interconnected by pin 24 are spaced apart by spacing meanscomprising the body portion 30 of the lever arm 13 and the pair of links14, 15 straddling the lever arm 13. Upon placing the container C withinthe annular frame 10, the bottom edge of the container C comes to restagainst the base plate 43 of the bracket support 42 (FIGURE 4) and thecontainer wall is disposed in proximity to or sealing engagement withthe concave surface 61 of the gasket 60.

As previously noted, the confinement of the container C within theannular frame 10 is preferably of a loose nature when the annular frame10 is in the expanded position to readily permit the withdrawal andreinsertion of the container C within the annular frame 10. Under suchconditions, no initial sealing engagement occurs between the gasket 60and the container C. However, it is within the spirit of this inventionto place the gasket 60 under slight initial compression by causing asealing engagement to the present between the gasket 60 and thecontainer C in the expanded position of the annular frame 10 in whichcase the gasket 60 will serve to releasably retain the container Cloosely received within the expanded annular frame It). In eachinstance, it will be understood that the cutting edge of the hollowneedle 51 is maintained out of contact with the container wall in theexpanded position of the annular frame 10 by the masking effect of thegasket which envelopes the hollew needle 51.

Upon grasping the handle 32 of the lever arm 13 and pivoting the leverarm 13 in a clock-wise direction, as viewed in FIGURE 1, about the pin31 pivotally mounting the upper and lower flanges 33, 34 of the bodyportion 30 of lever arm 13 in overlying relationship with the inwardlyoffset end portions or terminal tabs 25, 25 of the arcuate bands 21, 22,it will be seen that the upper and lower flanges 33, 34 and the pair oflinks 14, 15 will be moved into superimposed nested relationship withthe terminal tabs 25, 25 of the upper and lower arcuate bands 21, 22 forthe frame segment 12. As the aforesaid pivotal movement of the lever arm13 proceeds, the spaced apart ends of the frame segments 11, 12 will bedrawn closer together. Thus, it will be seen that the circular enclosedregion defined by the annular frame 10 will be reduced in size toconstrict the annular frame 10 into clamping relationship with thecontainer C (FIGURE 3). This constriction of the annular frame 10 aboutthe container C forces the container C tightly against the sealinggasket 69 to place the gasket under compression and expose the hollowpuncturing needle 51 which punctures the container wall (FIGURE 4) toprovide communication between the interior of the container C and theconduit 50 for dispensing the contents of the container C outwardlythrough the conduit 50 when the valve 62 is open.

All elements comprising the annular frame 10 are preferably made ofrigid material, such as a suitable metal or plastic, which provides foreven constriction of the annular frame 10 about the container C receivedin the circular enclosed region defined thereby. This even constrictionof the annular frame It has the effect of directly forcing the containerC against the puncturing needle 51 to accurately predetermine theposition on the container wall which will be punctured or ruptured bythe needle 51 for the purpose of dispensing the contents of thecontainer C. The sealing gasket 60, being retained under highcompression between the container wall bordering the puncture formedtherein by the needle 51 and in the space between the upper and lowerarcuate bands 16, 17 of the frame segment 11 about the needle 51 and theinner end conduit portion 53, prevents leakage of the contents of thecontainer C from the hole punctured therein by the needle 51 between thecontainer C and the conduit 56.

The handle 32 of the lever arm 13 may be moved in a clock-wise directionuntil the vertically extending pin 36 connecting respective ends of thelinks 14, 15 to the upper and lower flanges 33, 34 of the body portion30 for the lever arm 13 is received in the vertically alined notches 26,26 provided in the inwardly offset terminal tabs 25, 25 of the arcuatebands 21, 22 for the frame segment 12. This arrangement provides areadily releasable latching means for retaining the lever arm 13 in aposition fully constricting the annular frame 10, wherein the handle 32of the lever arm 13 is disposed in close proximity to the annular frame10 and roughly corresponds to the outer perimeter thereof so as to guardagainst accidental dislodgment of the lever arm 13 and movement thereofin a counter-clockwise direction to expand the annular frame 10 whenthis is not desirable.

The operator by depressing the valve member 63 to unseat the plug 64from the shoulder provided by the valve bonnet 66 opens the passagewaythrough the conduit 50 to discharge the contents of the container Cthrough the hollow needle 51 and the conduit 56). Thus, a proportionateamount of the contents of the container can be utilized as deemednecessary by the operator because of the fluid-tight seal providedbetween the container wall surrounding the puncture therein and theconduit th by the gasket 60 and the automatic retraction of the plug 64of the valve means 62 under the biasing force of the spring 67 to aposition closing the passageway through the conduit 50 upondiscontinuing the depression of the valve member 63.

It will therefore be seen that I have disclosed an improved dispensingdevice of the type to be clamped about a container and carrying apuncturing element for puncturing a hole in a wall of the container todispense the contents therefrom, wherein a pivotal lever arm is employedto move the clamping frame of my dispensing device between expanded andconstricted positions with respect to the container. My improvedconstruction provides for smooth pivotal movement of the lever armWithout whip-lash action being imparted thereto and the inevitableaccompaniment of personal injuries to the fingers of an operator whichmay become pinched or smashed between the lever arm and the constrictivemeans of dispensing devices of this general character heretofore known.Moreover, my dispensing device requires that the container receivedtherein be forced directly against the puncturing element of the device,thereby eliminating the possibility of failure because of erraticrelative movement between the container and the puncturing element wherethe container provided with a frangible area of predetermined extent andthe puncturing element must contact this frangible area in order topuncture the container for dispensing the contents therefrom.

In the drawings and specification there has been set forth a preferredembodiment of the invention and, although specific terms are employed,they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not forpurposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being defined in theclaims.

I claim:

1. In a device for clamping about a cylindrical container, an annularframe for loosely receiving the cylindrical container comprising a pairof arcuate frame segments pivotally interconnected at one of theirrespective ends, each of said frame segments having upper and lowervertically alined arcuatebands disposed in parallel relation and avertical web extending between and interconnecting said upper and lowerbands, said frame segments being spaced apart at the other of theirrespective ends, a lever arm extending outwardly of said frame segmentsand having upper and lower vertically alined flanges disposed inparallel relation at an inner end portion thereof, said flanges beingpivotally attached at the inner end of said lever arm to the upper andlower bands at the other end of one of said frame segments and extendingtoward the upper and lower bands of the other frame segment but stoppingshort thereof to define a gap therebetwecn, a pair of links straddlingsaid lever arm and bridging the gap between said flanges and the upperand lower bands of the other frame segment, a pin penetrating one end ofeach of said links and pivotally attaching said links to respectiveflanges corresponding thereto at a medial location along said lever arm,the opposite end of each of said links being pivotally attached torespective upper and lower bands of the other frame segment, the upperand lower bands of said one frame segment being respectively providedwith vertically alined notches at a location intermediate the ends ofsaid one frame segment, and said links and said flanges being movableinto superimposed relationship with respective portions of the upper andlower bands of said one frame segment adjacent the other end thereof inresponse to pivoting of said lever arm about the pivotal attachment atits inner end between the flanges thereof and the upper and lower bandsat the other end of said one frame segment to draw the respective otherends of said frame segments toward each other, whereby the area of anenclosed region provided by said annular frame is reduced to constrictsaid frame about the cylindrical container, and said pin being receivedin said notches provided in the upper and lower bands of said one framesegment when said lever arm has been pivoted to constrict said frame.

2. In a device for dispensing fluid from a container, means defining anendless open ended frame providing an enclosed region for looselyreceiving the container, said frame comprising a plurality of pivotallyinterconnected frame segments, means spacing an adjacent pair of saidplurality of frame segments apart at one of their respective ends, saidspacing means comprising a lever arm having a body portion and a handle,said body portion being pivotally attached at one end thereof to saidone end of one of said spaced apart frame segments and extending towardthe other of said spaced apart frame segments but stopping short thereofto define a gap therebetween, said handle extending outwardly from thebody portion of said lever arm at a position remote from the pivotalattachment between said body portion and said one of the spaced apartframe segments with respect to the enclosed region, a link bridging thegap between said body portion and said one end of the other of saidspaced apart frame segments, said link being pivotally attached at itsopposite ends to said portion and the other of said spaced apart framesegments respectively, tubular dispensing means carried by said framefor puncturing the container received within the frame, said tubulardispensing means comprising a conduit extending outwardly with respectto said frame and having a hollow puncturing element on its inner endprotruding inwardly of said frame within the enclosed region providedthereby, manually operable valve means in said conduit, and said linkand said body portion being movable into superimposed relationship witha portion of said one frame segment adjacent said one end thereof inresponse to pivoting of said lever arm about the pivotal attachmentbetween the body portion thereof and said one end of said one framesegment to draw the respective ends of said spaced apart frame segmentstoward each other, whereby the area of the enclosed region provided bysaid frame is reduced to constrict said frame about the container forpuncturing the container by said hollow puncturing element to dispensefluid therefrom through said conduit upon opening said manually operablevalve means.

3. In a device for dispensing fluid from a container, means defining anendless open-ended frame providing an enclosed region for looselyreceiving the container, said frame comprising a plurality of pivotallyinterconnected frame segments, means spacing an adjacent pair of saidplurality of frame segments apart at one of their respective ends, saidspacing means comprising a lever arm having a body portion and a handle,said body portion being pivotally attached at one end thereof to saidone end of one of said spaced apart frame segments and extending towardthe other of said spaced apart frame segments but stopping short thereofto define a gap therebetween, said handle extending outwardly from thebody portion of said lever arm at a position remote from the pivotalattachment between said body portion and said one of the spaced apartframe segments with respect to the enclosed region, a link bridging thegap between said body portion and said one end of the other of saidspaced apart frame segments, said link being pivotally attached at itsopposite ends to said body portion and the other of said spaced apartframe segments respectively, tubular dispensing means carried by saidframe for puncturing the container received Within the frame, saidtubular dispensing means comprising a conduit extending outwardly withrespect to said frame and having a hollow puncturing element on itsinner end protruding inwardly of said frame within the enclosed regionprovided thereby, a resilient gasket carried by said frame insurrounding relationship with respect to said hollow puncturing element,a portion of said gasket normally extending inwardly of said hollowpuncturing element within the enclose region provided by said frame tomask said hollow puncturing element and being compressible to exposesaid hollow puncturing element, said gasket presenting an inwardlydirected surface conforming to the shape of the container receivedwithin said frame, said link and said body portion being movable intosuperimposed relation ship with a portion of said one frame segmentadjacent said one end thereof in response to pivoting of said lever armabout the pivotal attachment between the body portion thereof and saidone end of said one frame segment to draw the respective ends of saidspaced apart frame segments toward each other, whereby the area of theenclosed region provided by said frame is reduced to constrict saidframe about the container for puncturing the container by said hollowpuncturing element to dispense fluid therefrom through said conduit, andsaid inwardly directed surface of the gasket sealingly engaging thecontainer prior to the puncturing thereof by said hollow puncturingelement in response to constriction of said frame about the container.

4. In a device for clamping about a cylindrical container, an annularframe for loosely receiving the cylindrical container comprising a pairof arcuate frame segments pivotally interconnected at one of theirrespective ends, said frame segments being spaced apart at the other oftheir respective ends, a lever arm extending outwardly of said framesegments and having upper and lower vertically alined flanges at aninner end portion thereof, said flanges being pivotally attached at theinner end of said lever arm to the other end of the one of said framesegments and extending toward the other frame segment but stopping shortthereof to define a gap therebetween, a pair of links straddling saidlever arm and bridging the gap between said flanges and the other framesegment, a pin penetrating one end of each of said links and pivotallyattaching said links to respective flanges corresponding thereto at amedial location along said lever arm, the opposite end of each of saidlinks being pivotally attached to the other frame segment, said oneframe segment being provided with a vertical notch at a locationintermediate the ends of said one frame segment, and said links and saidflanges being movable into superimposed relationship with respectiveportions of said one frame segment adjacent the other end thereof inresponse to pivoting of said lever arm about the pivotal attachment atits inner end between the flanges thereof and the other end of said oneframe segment to draw the respective other ends of said frame segmentstoward each other, whereby the area of an enclosed region provided bysaid annual frame is reduced to constrict said frame about thecylindrical container, and said pin being received in said notchprovided in said one frame segment when said lever arm has been pivotedto constrict said frame.

5. In a device for dispensing fluid from a container, means defining anendless open-ended frame providing an enclosed region for looselyreceiving the container, said frame comprising a plurality of pivotallyinterconnected frame segments, an adjacent pair of said frame segmentsbeing spaced apart at one of their respective ends, lever meansextending between the spaced apart ends of said adjacent pair of framesegments and connected thereto for pivotal movement about said one endof one of said adjacent pair of frame segments in a direction drawingthe spaced apart ends of said adjacent pair of frame segments towardeach other, tubular dispensing means carried by said frame forpuncturing the container received within the frame, said tubulardispensing means comprising a conduit extending outwardly with respectto said frame and having a hollow puncturing element on its inner endprotruding inwardly of said frame within the enclosed region providedthereby, a resilient gasket carried by said frame in surroundingrelationship with respect to said hollow puncturing element, a portionof said gasket normally extending inwardly of said hollow puncturingelement within the enclosed region provided by said frame to mask saidhollow puncturing element and being compressible to expose said hollowpuncturing element, said gasket presenting an inwardly directed surfaceconforming to the shape of the container received within said frame, andsaid lever means being pivotable to draw the spaced apart ends of saidadjacent pair of frame segments toward each other, whereby the area ofthe enclosed region provided by said frame is reduced to constrict saidframe about the container for puncturing the container by said hollowpuncturing element to dispense fluid therefrom through said conduit, andsaid inwardly directed surface of the gasket sealingly engaging thecontainer prior to the puncturing thereof by said hollow puncturingelement in response to constriction of said frame about the container.

6. In a device for dispensing fiuid from a container, means defining anendless open-ended frame providing an enclosed region for looselyreceiving the container, said frame comprising a plurality of pivotallyinterconnected frame segments, an adjacent pair of said plurality offrame segments being spaced apart at one of their respective ends, levermeans extending between the spaced apart ends of said adjacent pair offrame segments and connected thereto for pivotal movement about said oneend of one of said adjacent pair of frame segments in a directiondrawing the spaced apart ends of said adjacent pair of frame segmentstoward each other, tubular dispensing means carried by said frame forpuncturing the container received within the frame, said tubulardispensing means comprising a conduit extending outwardly with respectto said frame and having a hollow puncturing element on its inner endprotruding inwardly of said frame within the enclosed region providedthereby, a resilient gasket carried by said frame in surroundingrelationship with respect to said hollow puncturing element, a portionof said gasket normally extending inwardly of said hollow puncturingelement within the enclosed region provided by said frame to mask saidhollow puncturing element and being compressible to expose said hollowpuncturing element, said gasket presenting an inwardly directed surfaceconforming to the shape of the container received within said frame,manually operable valve means in said conduit, and said lever meansbeing pivotable to draw the spaced apart ends of said adjacent pair offrame segments toward each other, whereby the area of the enclosedregion provided by said frame is reduced to constrict said frame aboutthe container for compressing said portion of said gasket and forpuncturing the container by said hollow puncturing element to dispensefluid therefrom through said conduit upon opening said manually operablevalve means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,069,388 Colwell Aug. 5, 1913 1,237,046 Knapp Dec. 10, 1918 2,060,776Bender Nov. 10, 1936 2,303,625 Ellis Dec. 1, 1942 2,350,205 Warfield May30, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS 152,884 Austria Mar. 25, 1938

1. IN A DEVICE FOR CLAMPING ABOUT A CYLINDRICAL CONTAINER, AN ANNULARFRAME FOR LOOSELY RECEIVING THE CYLINDRICAL CONTAINER COMPRISING A PAIROF ARCUATE FRAME SEGMENTS PIVOTALLY INTERCONNECTED AT ONE OF THEIRRESPECTIVE ENDS, EACH OF SAID FRAME SEGMENTS HAVING UPPER AND LOWERVERTICALLY ALINED ARCUATE BANDS DISPOSED IN PARALLEL RELATION AND AVERTICAL WEB EXTENDING BETWEEN AND INTERCONNECTING SAID UPPER AND LOWERBANDS, SAID FRAME SEGMENTS BEING SPACED APART AT THE OTHER OF THEIRRESPECTIVE ENDS, A LEVER ARM EXTENDING OUTWARDLY OF SAID FRAME SEGMENTSAND HAVING UPPER AND LOWER VERTICALLY ALINED FLANGES DISPOSED INPARALLEL RELATION AT AN INNER END PORTION THEREOF, SAID FLANGES BEINGPIVOTALLY ATTACHED AT THE INNER END OF SAID LEVER ARM TO THE UPPER ANDLOWER BANDS AT THE OTHER END OF ONE OF SAID FRAME SEGMENTS AND EXTENDINGTOWARD THE UPPER AND LOWER BANDS OF THE OTHER FRAME SEGMENT BUT STOPPINGSHORT THEREOF TO DEFINE A GAP THEREBETWEEN, A PAIR OF LINKS STRADDLINGSAID LEVER ARM AND BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN SAID FLANGES AND THE UPPERAND LOWER BANDS OF THE OTHER FRAME SEGMENT, A PIN PENETRATING ONE END OFEACH OF SAID LINKS AND PIVOTALLY ATTACHING SAID LINKS TO RESPECTIVEFLANGES CORRESPONDING THERETO AT A MEDIAL LOCATION ALONG SAID LEVER ARM,THE OPPOSITE END OF EACH OF SAID LINKS BEING PIVOTALLY ATTACHED TORESPECTIVE UPPER AND LOWER BANDS OF THE OTHER FRAME SEGMENT, THE UPPERAND LOWER BANDS OF SAID ONE FRAME SEGMENT BEING RESPECTIVELY PROVIDEDWITH VERTICALLY ALINED NOTCHES AT A LOCATION INTERMEDIATE THE ENDS OFSAID ONE FRAME SEGMENT, AND SAID LINKS AND SAID FLANGES BEING MOVABLEINTO SUPERIMPOSED RELATIONSHIP WITH RESPECTIVE PORTIONS OF THE UPPER ANDLOWER BANDS OF SAID ONE FRAME SEGMENT ADJACENT THE OTHER END THEREOF INRESPONSE TO PIVOTING OF SAID LEVER ARM ABOUT THE PIVOTAL ATTACHMENT ATITS INNER END BETWEEN THE FLANGES THEREOF AND THE UPPER AND LOWER BANDSAT THE OTHER END OF SAID ONE FRAME SEGMENT TO DRAW THE RESPECTIVE OTHERENDS OF SAID FRAME SEGMENTS TOWARD EACH OTHER, WHEREBY THE AREA OF ANENCLOSED REGION PROVIDED BY SAID ANNULAR FRAME IS REDUCED TO CONSTRICTSAID FRAME ABOUT THE CYLINDRICAL CONTAINER, AND SAID PIN BEING RECEIVEDIN SAID NOTCHES PROVIDED IN THE UPPER AND LOWER BANDS OF SAID ONE FRAMESEGMENT WHEN SAID LEVER ARM HAS BEEN PIVOTED TO CONSTRICT SAID FRAME.